actuar
/aɡˈtwaɾ/
To act in Spanish is actuar.
The verb actuar is used both for performing a theatrical role and for taking a specific course of action or behaving in a certain way. While 'actuar' means to perform a role, it is distinct from comportarse, which specifically means 'to behave' in a social or moral sense. Related to this, the noun acto can mean a deed or a division of a theatrical performance.
Meaning: to perform a theatrical role (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American countries, you may use interpretar instead of actuar. In Spain, hacer de might be substituted with interpretar el papel de.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite (past tense) of actuar is actuó.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡˈtwaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb actuar is used in Spanish to describe the physical way a chemical or medicine 'acts' or takes effect on the body.
- In common Spanish, the word actuar can shift from the stage to the courtroom, where it is used to describe a professional taking legal action.
- The Spanish verb actuar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'actuate', as both stem from the Latin 'agō', meaning 'to do' or 'to drive'.
Examples in context
- No me pagan por actuar.I don't get paid to act.This sentence shows the use of actuar regarding payment for performing.Tatoeba #13423374 by ecorralest101, translation #5746822 by CM
- ¡Piensa antes de actuar!Think before you act!This sentence uses actuar in the sense of taking an action.Tatoeba #597660 by Shishir, translation #597602 by FeuDRenais2
- No actuaron con rapidez.They didn't act quickly.This sentence uses a conjugated form of actuar to describe how people behaved or acted.Tatoeba #841751 by Shishir, translation #680071 by Source_VOA
- El actor principal actúa de manera brillante en esa obra de teatro.The main actor acts brilliantly in that play.
- Los estudiantes representarán una obra de teatro durante el evento escolar.The students will perform a play during the school event.
- Él desempeñó el papel del detective en la película policial.He played the role of the detective in the crime movie.
- Mi hermano mayor hace de payaso en el circo.My older brother acts as a clown in the circus.
- El niño simulaba ser un superhéroe mientras jugaba en el parque.The child pretended to be a superhero while playing at the park.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing theater rehearsal.
- María¿Te gustaría actuar conmigo?Would you like to act with me?
- DanielSí, me encantaría actuar en tu obra, María.Yes, I would love to act in your play, María.
- María¡Qué bien! Necesitamos ensayar mucho.That's great! We need to rehearse a lot.
- DanielEstoy listo para empezar.I am ready to start.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “act” translations and entries actuar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries actuar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
